“To teach, to serve, and to inquire into the nature of things” is the motto of the University of Georgia, which on this date in 1785 became the young nation’s first state-chartered university.

Saturday, January 27th. “To teach, to serve, and to inquire into the nature of things.” That’s the motto of the University of Georgia, which on this date in 1785 became the young nation’s first state-chartered university. Royally chartered private universities existed in America in Colonial times, notably Harvard and William and Mary. The University of Georgia opened in 1801 after the similarly chartered University of North Carolina.

Today, over 75 million Americans hold bachelor’s or graduate degrees. People with bachelor’s degrees average around $1 million more in lifetime earnings than workers whose education stopped with a high school diploma. Advanced degrees add about another million dollars in lifetime earnings.

You can find more facts about America’s people, places and economy, from the American Community Survey here.

Author: Michael Benjamin
Michael Benjamin is a public affairs consultant and an editorial board member at The New York Post. He is a former contributing columnist to the NY Post, City and State NY and other publications. He is a former Member of the New York State Assembly (2003-2010) and once led the Bronx Board of Elections. Since leaving office, he has appeared as a commentator on TWC NY1, Bronxnet OPEN, Good Day NY, and Al Jazeera America. His columns and blog focus on corruption, government, education, politics, redistricting, nuclear energy and race. He holds a B.A. in political science from Syracuse University.